New housing and crèche plan submitted for rural Wicklow village after earlier rejection
The Wicklow PeopleWicklow County Council has received a planning application to build 30 additional homes and a creche adjacent to a housing development in west Wicklow originally granted permission in September 2022.
DL Residential Properties Ltd received conditional approval from Wicklow County Council (WCC) for an 88-home scheme on a 4.25-hectare site at Market Close, Pound Road, in Dunlavin.
In September 2025 WCC rejected plans submitted by the same company for a 26-home development on an adjacent site in Dunlavin, due to the site’s ‘open countryside’ designation and a potential contravention of an objective that requires new housing developments to be located on “suitably zoned or designated land in settlements”.
Refusing the application, a WCC planner noted that, on review of the Dunlavin Town Plan and Wicklow County Development Plan, the development would be located wholly outside the settlement boundary of Dunlavin town and within the ‘level 10 open countryside’.
“The development proposal would be contrary to the provision of Objective CPO 6.1, which requires that new housing development be located on suitably zoned or designated land in settlements and will only be considered in open countryside when it’s for the provision of a rural dwelling for those with a demonstrable housing, social or economic need to live in the open countryside,” the planner wrote.
“To allow this development would undermine the core strategy of the county development plan and set a precedent for similar haphazard development.”
That application proposed to build four two-bed terraced bungalows, four maisonettes, eight three-bed and 10 four-bed homes.
The plans included access through a previously permitted development, along with 48 car parking spaces, communal open spaces and associated infrastructure and site development works.
DL Residential Properties Ltd have now resubmitted a new application for planning permission with proposals to build a new development consisting of 30 additional units which includes a mix of terraced bungalow, maisonette and semi-detached dwellings, with access through to the previously permitted development.
The works will also include all associated infrastructure and site developments works including drainage, landscaping and boundary treatment.
Manager of the Dunlavin Community Playgroup Alison Lamb submitted a letter of support for the plans to the local authority, outlining why a purpose-built childcare facility accommodating up to 96 children would make a difference in the village.
“Having reviewed the proposal and consulted with the Board of Directors, Dunlavin Community Playgroup would have a strong and genuine interest in purchasing and operating the facility upon its completion, subject to normal commercial and regulatory due diligence.”
“Dunlavin’s population is growing and with increased residential developments, there is a demand for a full day care service in the village. Our current facility is not large enough, and it is limited at present to providing sessional services only.”
Ms Lamb also believes the proposal “offers the opportunity to deliver childcare provision in a manner that is planned, regulated and integrated with the village’s future growth.
She adds that “from an operator’s perspective, this approach is nor only preferable, but essential to ensuring long term viability, compliance and quality of care.”
The local authority is due to issue a ruling by March 1 2026.